Mine subsidence and your foundation
Much of the Wyoming Valley was deep-mined for coal. Here is how to check whether your house sits over old workings, and what the state's insurance program covers.
What mine subsidence is
Mine subsidence is ground movement caused by the collapse of old underground coal or clay mines. The Luzerne County 2025 hazard mitigation plan describes a strip of abandoned underground mines running across the Wyoming Valley along the Susquehanna, more mines in the south of the county near Hazleton, and underground mine subsidence incidents in at least 26 Luzerne County municipalities.
Ground movement from old mines can crack a foundation the same way settling or soil pressure can. A foundation contractor can tell you what the wall is doing; the state’s records can tell you what is under the ground.
Check your address on the state map
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection runs an online mine subsidence risk map. You can search by address, coordinates or municipality, and it shows the mining status of the location:
- Underground mining area (gray): DEP marks the site as at risk and recommends mine subsidence insurance.
- Coal exists, possibly mined (pink): insurance is available if you want it.
DEP also takes informal requests for underground mining information about a specific location. The map carries DEP’s own note that it cannot guarantee the mining records are complete or accurate.
Find both on DEP’s mine subsidence insurance pages at pa.gov, or call the program’s help desk at 1-800-922-1678.
Pennsylvania mine subsidence insurance
DEP offers this coverage because ordinary homeowner insurance usually does not include it. From DEP’s program page:
- What it covers: damage from the collapse of underground coal or clay mines, and ground movement from a sudden mine water blowout. It covers the building and some attached items such as fences, patios, walks and driveways, up to a limit, when the building is damaged by the same event.
- What it does not cover: your belongings, and sinkholes caused by limestone weathering.
- How much coverage: from $5,000 to $1,000,000. DEP suggests insuring for replacement value plus 20%.
- What it costs: DEP’s own example is $41.25 a year for $150,000 of residential coverage. Check DEP’s current rate chart before you buy.
- How to apply: online through DEP’s application, by calling the help desk to have one mailed, or through a licensed Pennsylvania property and casualty insurance agent.
If you see new cracks
New cracks, a wall that starts to move, or doors that suddenly stick can have several causes: water pressure, frost, settling, or ground movement from below. Have the foundation looked at, check your address on the DEP map, and if you carry mine subsidence insurance, call the help desk before any repair work starts.
Send a foundation repair request and mention if your address is in a mined area. We pass it to an independent local foundation repair contractor who serves your area.
Sources: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Mine Subsidence Insurance program page and MSI risk map; Luzerne County 2025 Hazard Mitigation Plan. Read October 2026. This page is general information, not insurance or engineering advice.